Entering the Conversation (from a different direction)

I'm an engineer working in product planning... which means I don't work in marketing or sales.

Think about that. There is an unwritten rule at a lot of companies that you don't let the engineers (at least those not trained in marketing or sales) talk to the customers. They can be too direct or use the wrong words or be too logical (gasp!)

But here I am. Why is this important? Because we realize the communication channels are changing. Do you read blogs? Are you on Facebook? Twitter? Second Life? YouTube? If you are not, I'm sure your kids are. I am too and I talk to people interested in CAD and FEA all the time.

Here is another reason I'm jumping in. We have some great software coming out over the summer based on our Synchronous Technology. I've been using it almost every day and can tell you it is not hype. In a few weeks you will see for yourselves. And here is the best part... we developers are still running full speed. Synchronous Technology is a whole new domain and it will help you be a better designer.

My experience with Siemens PLM (formerly UGS) has been that development/engineering was always accessible even thru Sales Channels. In particular development, has always been a great supporter of PLM World the Independent Users Group, the Voice of the Siemens PLM User. It has only been the last few years where Marketing is more important, and development has become sheltered by product managers.

My post was more that communication and dialog is being augmented not shifted.

Take PLM World for example. This is a hugely valuable conference to both Siemens and customers. Most companies can only send one or a few people and Siemens can only send a few on the development staff form each area each year. The advantage of blogs and the many newer forms of social media is that they give more ways to communicate more frequently. If you can’t go to the conference, you can at least tune in and maybe even participate.

Traditional Web 1.0 activities which can be more one way (and maybe more marketing driven) can now be supplemented by Web 2.0 technologies that are more conversational and can involve people in all organizations at all levels.